Terminology

API

The API is the brain of the system. All higher level logic is decided here, and the web UI directly communicates with the API.

Bridge

A bridge is a station connecting two lines. Bridge stations are always automated and do not need to be configured with buffer logic.
In special cases a bridge may go to and from the same line.

Buffer

A buffer is a type of station that is unmanned and runs some sort of autonomous logic. Usually used for holding products between operations to make the production flows more dynamic. Buffers execute some sort of Buffer Logic.

Bulk (or Bulk Factor)

Bulk is the relative size that a carrier takes on a rail. An empty carrier is generally regarded as having bulk 1.0, with loaded carriers having a bulk in relation to that. Each carrier can have its own bulk value, that depends on the article being transported and the operations that have been performed. Bulk is important when calculating Rail Load

Carrier

Also known as Hanger, Clamp, Hook.

The device that attaches products to the Eton systems for transport. Has one or two wheels and some mechanism for securing the product during transport. Can have very different appearance depending on what products are being transported.

Carriers have either one (single carrier), or two wheels (trolley carrier) depending on the size and weight of the product being transported.

Chain

Chain refers to the red chain on work stations. The purpose of the chain is to transport carriers up and down, usually to floor level where an operation takes place. Every stop on the chain is a chain position, and the position where operations take place is called the work position

Feeding Buffer

A feeding buffer is a type of station that uses a belt to pull carriers along, instead of relying on gravity. Main difference between a line and feeding buffer is that the line pushes, while the feeding buffer pulls. On a line, the capacity is limited by the number of pushers, while a feeding buffer rail is limited by its length.

ICU

Also known as ECU

The Ingenious Control Unit. This is a device that communicates with all the nodes via CAN bus, and also talks directly with the API. The ICU has very little higher logic, and is mostly concerned with hardware level operations.

Internal Rail Number

The internal rail number is used by the operator on a station to activate, block or unblock a rail.
The numbering starts on 1, being the rail closest to the operator and rails 2+ being further away.
The internal numbering sequence is in the reverse order from the "external" rail id.

Here is an example for station 1003 with three rails

Internal	External
1	1003
2	1002
3	1001

Line

A line is a transport loop connecting stations and bridges. Lines are numbered with 1-2 digits, usually starting from line 1. A line uses pushers to transport carriers along.

Line Server

The node and terminal that controls and monitors a line. See Topic: Line Server.

Loading

Can refer to

1. Loading a product to a carrier.
   This is when an operator at a loading station attaches the product to a carrier.
2. Loading to line.
   This the mechanical action when a carrier leaves a chain to begin transport on a line.

Loading Station

A type of station that is usually manned, and serves as the starting point for all operations done in the system. Loading stations perform Load Operations.

Middle Station

Most stations get their carriers from, and load carriers to a line. Middle stations do not send their carriers to a line, but directly to another station instead. The receiving station may be a buffer, or another work place.

Node

A node is a simple computer with IO that communicates via a CAN bus with the ICU. Nodes control all switches and motors, and read input from all sensors in the system.

Piece Rate

How much money, in unspecified currency, an operator will earn for doing a specific operation on a product. This is similar to SMV in being a per product reward, but here fixed monetary values are used instead of minutes.

Piece Rate is for one product. If multiple products are in the same carrier, the piece rate will be multiplied.

Operation

Every action taken on a carrier, both manual and automatic are counted as operations. Operations fall into one of several types. Operations are generally performed on stations, except bridges.

Pusher

A pusher is a block mounted to the line belt that serves to push a carrier in front of it.

Rail

A station always has at least one rail, which is named the same as the station it is connected to. Work places may have more than one rail, and this rail number is determined by the internal rail number. Rail numbers are clearly labeled when looking at the physical station.

E.g. Rail 1003 is the first internal rail of station 1003. 1002 is the second internal rail of station 1003. 1001 is the third internal rail of station 1003.

When there are multiple rails on one station, the operator can decide which of the rails to retrieve carriers from by selecting the rail with

Rail Load

Rail Load is the sum of bulk of carriers addressed to a rail, combined with the carriers that are physically on the rail. Setting a correct rail load is important to not adress more carriers to a rail than it can receive. Excess carriers will clog up the capacity on the line.

SMV

Standard Minute Value. The average duration of an operation in decimal minutes. This gives efficient operators an incentive, as they will accumulate more SMV over the same time period compared to a less efficient operator.

SMV is calculated using one product for reference. If multiple products are in the same hanger, the earned SMV will be multiplied accordingly. On the other hand, if multiple operators are logged in on the same station via different terminals, they will split the SMV equally between them.

If the operation times are very short, the time it takes for the chain to arrive at work position may be a significant part of the total time. The system setting Add Chain Cycle Time To SMV can be used to toggle if this time should be included or not.

Station

A station is a workplace, a buffer or a bridge. All stations are assigned a 4 to 6 digit number. This number usually signifies the location and function to some degree.

Ex. 1: Station 11017

From the ending "17", we know that this is not a bridge, since bridges will be "91" and higher.
The leading 11 means that this is station has its loading located on line 11. Unloading may be from the same line or another line.
From the 0 in the middle, we know that this is not a middle station, so it's likely a buffer or work place.

Ex. 2: Station 110591
From the ending "91", we know that this is a bridge, and the first bridge (there may be multiple, which will be named 92 and so on)
The leading 11, means that this is a bridge going from line 11. The 05 means that the bridge goes to line 5.

Ex. 3: Station 5111
This is not a bridge, due to the last two digits. The third last digit is 1, which signifies that this station recieves carriers from a middle station, and may also itself be a middle station.

Terminal

Most nodes have a terminal attached to them. This is a simple display and numeric input device that can show Operator Messages and accept input commands.

Web Terminal

A web terminal is a complement to a terminal that takes advantage of modern web technology and has the possibility to show richer messages. The Web Terminal can be run on a smartphone, tablet or PC that is connected on the production network.

Web UI

The Web UI (User Interface) is the primary way for administrators and supervisors to interact with the API, like the Terminal is how operators interact with the system.

Work Position

All stations are required to have a configured Work Position, the work position refers to the chain position where the operator wishes to work. Chain positions are counted starting when the carrier is read by the station reader and enters the chain. The first stop is chain position 1, second stop is 2 and so on.